Coast city launches 'Pelican Pound' promotional campaign

A Mississippi Gulf Coast community has unveiled a new effort to keep consumer spending within its city limits.

The Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Bureau has launched new items to promote the “totally locally” Pelican Pound campaign to help encourage residents and visitors to buy local.

The new campaign features pelican artwork by artist Elizabeth Huffmaster.

The pelican pound, a wooden nickel valued at $5 per coin was launched last April with local shops, restaurants and galleries around town. Currently more than 50 businesses accept the Ocean Springs currency.

“This is our buy local campaign,” says Margaret Miller, executive director of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Bureau. “It is a great marketing opportunity to showcase our local one-of-a-kind businesses and to keep dollars in Ocean Springs.”

A pelican pound billboard is located on I-10 near Exit 50 (East), and pelican pound participant fliers are in shops, restaurants and galleries windows. Program details are available on the website (www.oceanspringschamber.com) and at the Ocean Springs Chamber offices.

The Pelican Pound program was developed by the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce–Main Street–Tourism Bureau and is funded in part by the 2 percent food and beverage tax. Pelican Pounds can soon be obtained by tour groups and conference goers coordinated through the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce–Main Street–Tourism Bureau offices.

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